MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Palm Beach Atlantic men's soccer team improved to 11-2-2 on the season with a victory over No. 16 ranked Florida Tech tonight. The No. 9 ranked Sailfish got late goals from their two senior forwards Claudio Rivadeneira and Cadu Cusatis to claim a 2-0 victory. 

PBA came into tonight's contest in third place in the SSC standings with Florida Tech two points ahead. There was plenty on the line for both teams with the top-2 teams receiving a bye in the upcoming SSC tournament. The Panthers came out of the gates strong forcing Sailfish keeper Patrick Nettekoven into a diving save off of a free kick in the second minute. Nettekoven was strong throughout the first half making four of his five saves. The first chance for the Sailfish came in the 18th minute when Quenzi Huerman scooped a through ball behind the Florida Tech defense. There was a collision in the box and the Sailfish forward appeared to be brought down but the referee continued play despite the Sailfish protest. The two sides went into the half tied 0-0 after 45 minutes of the two sides feeling each other out where only nine shots were recorded.

Florida Tech boasts the conferences best defense surrendering only eight goals so far this season in 12 games. In the 50th minute, the Sailfish got their first real opportunity when the Panthers were called for a handball in the box. Claudio Rivadeneira stepped up to the spot but was denied by Florida Tech keeper Jason Fesquet. With neither team having a great scoring opportunity, overtime was looking like a real possibility between the two sides in such a crucial game. However, the hottest player for the Sailfish showed up when he was needed most. Cadu Cusatis got on the end of a Claudio Rivadeneira cross and tapped the ball into the net to give the Sailfish the lead with four minutes remaining. Cusatis continues his goal-scoring streak, which is now up to a PBA record eight games in a row . With the Panthers chasing a late game-tying goal, the 'Fish created a fast counter attack after winning the ball. Guillermo Deal found Rivadeneira in the box on the break to go up 2-0 and seal the game in the final minute.

The victory tonight moves PBA ahead of Florida Tech in the SSC standings by a point but the Panthers do have a game in hand. Up next, the Sailfish host Barry in the DII Showcase game on Nov. 5 to close out their regular season.